Halicephalobus

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Halicephalobus is a genus of free-living nematodes that are found in soil and organic matter. They are known to cause a rare and usually fatal neurological disease in horses and humans, known as Halicephalobus gingivalis infection or Halicephalobus deletrix infection.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The genus Halicephalobus belongs to the family Rhabditidae, and includes several species. The most well-known species are Halicephalobus gingivalis and Halicephalobus deletrix. These nematodes are typically found in soil and organic matter, but can occasionally infect mammals, including horses and humans.

Infection[edit | edit source]

Infection with Halicephalobus is rare but usually fatal. The nematodes can cause a variety of symptoms, including neurological problems, kidney failure, and death. In horses, the disease is often associated with poor hygiene and unsanitary conditions. In humans, infection is extremely rare and usually occurs in people with compromised immune systems.

Diagnosis and Treatment[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of Halicephalobus infection is difficult due to the rarity of the disease and the nonspecific symptoms. Treatment is also challenging, as there is currently no effective cure for the disease. Management of symptoms and supportive care are the mainstays of treatment.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Halicephalobus Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD